Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Earth-Friendly Ways with Polymer Clay

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I know Polymer Clay gets a bad rap on earth day, so do cars, but most of us drive one. So how can you be green and a polymer clay artist and make sure that your use of polymer clay is good for the environment?

Reuse, reduce and recycle – clay that is!

  • There shouldn’t be any waste in your polymer clay studio. All raw clay can be reused. I sort my scraps by color when I’m working and either use them for organic-looking canes or mix them together for new colors.  (Keep your clay covered to protect it from dust and stray hairs.)
  • Mud? What happens if you mix too many colors and end up with something that looks unmentionable? Fear not, that clay can be used for the base clay in your projects, cover it with canes, new clay or paint over it.
  • All my ugly beads and projects end up in the hands of my children who use them in their own creations. Have a pile of beads you aren’t going to use? Donate them to a local classroom or Sunday School teacher.
  • Be safe – cook your clay in a clay-dedicated toaster oven, in a well-ventilated room. Never burn your clay. Wash your hands thoroughly after working with clay or wear rubber gloves.
  • And hey, who hasn’t covered an altoid tin with polymer clay – that’s green baby, all the way! You took trash and made it into something useful and beautiful.

Polymer clay crafters have been repurposing household items and cast-offs by decorating with with polymer clay for years and years! They give these items a new life and that means less stuff in landfills.

More earth day polymer clay posts:

Earth Day & Polymer Clay – at Polymer Clay Daily.

Polymer Clay Safety – from Judy Dunn.

Looking for more polymer clay texture tools? Check these out on Amazon.

Next Polymer Clay Idea:

Comments

  1. Heather,

    Great stuff! Thanks for posting these ideas. Rings & Things is always looking for ways to promote “greenness” in the bead/craft world, and you’ve just given us a nice bunch of new ideas.

    Keep up the good work!

    –Dave

Have you read?

Pottery Clay – DIY Divided Tapas Serving Platter with Illustrated Sections

Every good hostess knows a serving platter is the secret weapon at a party. It corrals snacks, makes everything look intentional, and saves you from running back and forth with little bowls. This DIY divided platter takes that idea one step further: each section is labeled with hand-drawn illustrations, making it both useful and irresistibly charming.

The original inspiration came from these  tapas-style platters, but we’re creating an English version featuring everyday snacks and nibbles. It’s fun, it’s functional, and it makes even store-bought crackers look Pinterest-worthy.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White ceramic clay (or air-dry clay if you don’t have access to a kiln) 
  • Rolling pin or slab roller 
  • Oval platter base template (downloadable below) 
  • Divider templates (downloadable below) 
  • Scoring tool + slip for joining clay 
  • Sponge and rib tool for smoothing 
  • Cobalt blue underglaze pencil OR blue underglaze with a fine brush 
  • Kiln + clear glaze (for ceramic clay) OR a food-safe sealant (for air-dry clay) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Shape the Base

Roll a slab of clay about ½ inch thick. Place the oval platter template on top and cut out your base. Smooth edges with a damp sponge.

Step 2: Add Dividers

Use the divider templates to cut strips of clay. Attach them to the base by scoring and slipping. Smooth joins and curve the edges slightly for a handmade look.

Step 3: Refine

Let the platter dry until it’s leather-hard. At this stage, you can tidy the walls, soften corners, and make sure the surface is smooth.

Step 4: Draw Your Illustrations

Here’s where the personality shines. Using an underglaze pencil or fine brush, sketch quick doodles into each section. Keep them loose and playful, not perfect. Our platter has:

  • Cheese – wedges with holey details 
  • Ham – loose stack of wavy slices 
  • Anchovies – three slim fish outlines 
  • Sardines – larger, striped fish drawings 
  • Salami – one log plus a few round slices with dotted speckles 
  • Olives – oval shapes with pits, some sliced open 
  • Tomatoes – little cluster of round tomatoes tied together 

Note: Drawings are slightly altered from the original for a fresh, unique design.

Step 5: Fire and Finish

  • For ceramic clay: bisque fire, add clear glaze, and glaze fire. 
  • For air-dry clay: allow to dry fully, then paint with a clear food-safe sealant if you’ll use it for food. Otherwise, it makes a perfect decorative tray.